This page was generated programmatically; to view the article in its original venue, you can navigate to the link below:
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/01/20/new-seafood-restaurant-leftys-opening-downtown-sarasota/77779222007/
and if you wish to have this article removed from our website, please reach out to us
A lively new eatery is poised to introduce coastal seafood, inventive cocktails, and a “joyful environment” to downtown Sarasota’s culinary landscape.
6 best new Sarasota, Bradenton restaurants of 2024
Explore the finest new eateries that launched in Sarasota and Manatee counties in 2024.
One of the most awaited restaurant openings in Sarasota for 2025 may occur any moment now.
Featuring a delightful layout with a covered patio adorned with tropical plants and vibrant lights, Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar is eager to greet guests for a soft launch before January wraps up.
The establishment is situated in a prime location in downtown Sarasota’s Rosemary District at 428 N. Lemon Ave., previously occupied by Mandeville Beer Garden — merely a five-minute stroll from Main Street.
Lefty’s marks the most recent endeavor by locally rooted Watershed Hospitality Concepts, known for popular dining and drinking venues like the nearby Cask & Ale and Pie on Main (both located on Main Street), along with Pi Pizza 3.14 and Blasé Martini Bar in Siesta Key Village.
Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar with beverages and a covered patio debuting in downtown Sarasota
Lefty’s presents Sarasota with a novel approach to coastal seafood in a rustic, inviting environment. The restaurant and bar will emphasize “made-to-order cuisine and creative cocktails,” spotlighting “locally sourced seafood in a casual and enjoyable atmosphere,” with “light live music” scheduled for the weekends, according to a press announcement.
The culinary offerings will adapt to the seasons and “what’s currently in abundance,” featuring selections such as oyster shooters, steamed and baked oysters, lobster rolls, soft shell crab sandwiches, “salads made from seasonal produce from an organic farm partner, freshly made chowders, and a Marine Cuisine board showcasing rotating specialty oysters and fin fish.”
Menu items labeled as “Lefty’s favorites” encompass lobster bites served with their “Piña Tropicale sauce,” seafood ceviche, a fried chicken thigh sandwich, the “Watershed Platter” comprised of shrimp, Bay scallops, clam strips, and Atlantic haddock, along with a “Tripod Risotto” that includes shrimp, scallops, and lobster.
Lefty’s drink menu features a variety of classic and artisanal cocktails, sparkling wines, domestic and local craft beers, plus a selection of wines aimed at complementing seafood offerings.
‘We are thrilled to unveil our imaginative menu of coastal seafood in a vibrant and dynamic ambiance’
In 2022, Rebekah Mandeville divested her well-regarded Mandeville Beer Garden restaurant and craft brewing venue to Watershed Hospitality Concepts (formerly Cask SRQ), a company established in 2019 by partners Mike Quillen, Chip White, David Sessions, and John LaCivita.
Quillen is a co-founder of the local dining establishment network Gecko’s Hospitality Group, encompassing multiple Gecko’s Grill & Pubs as well as Red Barn Bar, Tripletail Seafood & Spirits, Dockside Waterfront Grill in Venice, and Dry Dock Waterfront Grill on Longboat Key. Dry Dock is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious seafood restaurants in the Sarasota-Manatee area. It’s important to highlight that Watershed Hospitality Concepts is an entirely different business endeavor.
“We are thrilled to unveil our imaginative menu of seaside seafood within an energetic and dynamic environment,” stated Mike Quillen, president of WHC, in a press release. “There’s nothing as invigorating as a freshly shucked, salty treasure from the ocean.
“The taste is influenced by the waters they originate from, much like our bond with our coastline shapes our existence, which consequently influences Lefty’s menu,” Quillen further remarked. “Lefty’s will generate new hospitality roles, and we will uphold our long-standing tradition of giving back to bolster our community through charitable initiatives.”
Lefty’s is named in honor of the beloved tripod rescue dog taken in by co-owner Chip White.
“She is eager to welcome furry companions to our sheltered patio area, where lush Floridian greenery, cozy fire pits, TVs and picnic tables invite guests to partake in the enduring tradition of sharing a meal,” White mentioned in a statement.
Indeed, Lefty’s is set to be among the top picks of new eateries to explore in Sarasota — appealing to food enthusiasts and dog lovers (especially following the recent closing of fellow Rosemary District venue Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar) and notably for admirers of establishments like Dry Dock, Cask & Ale, Blasé Martini Bar, and, naturally, the cherished old Mandeville Beer Garden.
If you decide to visit
Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar is situated at 428 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, and is anticipated to commence operations in January 2025. Operating hours will be from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. A happy hour is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, featuring drink specials and “Buck-a-Shucks.” For additional details, visit leftysoysterseafood.com.
Wade Tatangelo is the Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, as well as the Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram and X. He can be reached via email at [email protected].
This page was generated programmatically; to view the article in its original format, you can follow the link below:
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/01/20/new-seafood-restaurant-leftys-opening-downtown-sarasota/77779222007/
and if you wish to remove this article from our site kindly contact us
